Minutes Exhibit C
Port Commission Regular Meeting
of September 24, 2019



STONINGTON
GALLERY


Seattle Commissioners
Port of Scattle
Sea-Tac Airport

September 17,2019

To Port of Seattle Commissioners,

As the Co-director of the Stonington Gallery, Seattle WA, I have had the great pleasure of
curating and installing many temporary art exhibits of Stonington artists, at SeaTac airport over
the past decade. Our first exhibit at SeaTac was for the 2010 Vancouver Olympics. The exhibit
consisted of works by the region's finest contemporary indigenous artists.

that
We wanted these Olympic visitors to disembark their planes and receive a cultural welcome
reflected the beauty and character of the Pacific Northwest Coast. Since that first exhibit, we
have provided rotating exhibits through the years for SeaTac. The insight we have gained from
the feedback we have received is so critically important for you to hear and understand as you
are about to vote on the % for art funding. I would argue, from our experience, that the Port of
Seattle art collection and rotating art exhibits are what travelers remember most about being at
the airport, and what they look forward to seeing upon return visits. It defines and distinguishes
the airport and our region instantly. The art conveys to all who come through your doors that you
value their arrival to our region and are proud of the rich culture they will experience while here.

Seattle is increasingly becoming a cultural travel destination. We see this daily. Visitors from
around the world come to see our magnificent land and seascapes and they want to see and
experience how our natural beauty and bounty have inspired our culture. They come for art,
music, dance, theatre, dining and hiking. We have it all and the second you disembark a plane or
the world, you set the
step off a cruise ship you should feel that. You are our first impression to
Coast unique,
tone, the vibe and establish right off the bat, what makes the Pacific Northwest
special. Your art collection does that for you. It is your 24 hours a day, 365 days a year
ambassador.

Great art honors the traveler and tells them you care about their experience. It relaxes, engages,
entertains, teaches and inspires them. What else does that? We hear regularly from travelers who
love to travel through Vancouver International Airport, BC and San Francisco airports because


206.405.4040   art@stoningtongallery.com
125 South Jackson Street  Seattle, Washington 98104
www.stoningtongallery.com

of their art collections. The art collection at Vancouver, BC airport makes the airport a cultural
destination. Great cities have great culture and their Port venues reflect this.
Personally, you may not even value art as much as others, however, please remember you are
deciding for the millions of visitors to our region, our local citizens and businesses who do value
the arts so very much. Expanding your art budget to 1% would guarantee that our Port facilities
reflect and embody our region's commitment to culture and art. It is the most elegant,
memorable, meaningful and hospitable welcome you can extend to the world. Thank you for
your time.

ectfully,
~~   0             fo
ce Aornerd
Rebecca Blanchard
Co-director Stonington Gallery